Biography of D. Maynard Dibble

D. Maynard Dibble. Steady application to the development of an idea had brought about the material success and business prorninence of D. Maynard Dibble, now well known in business circles in Topeka. He had practically been a resident of this city all of his life, for he was brought here when but nine months old, and from earliest youth had been identified with business affairs. While he is vice president of the Citizens State Bank, the major part of his attention had always been devoted to the grocery and market business, and through initiative, natural resource and an intelligent use of modern methods he is rapidly building up a chain of snterprises that is making his name one of the best known in this direction in Topeka.

Mr. Dibble was born in New York, on a farm near Albany, June 11, 1874, a son of D. Willis and Rena (Simmons) Dibble, natives of the Empire State. His grandfather, who was also born in New York, Daniel W. Dibble, served all through, the Revolutionary war as a soldier of the Continental line, and when his military career was flnished went to a farm in the vicinity of Albany, where he became engaged in general farming and stock raising. It was there that D. Willis Dibble was born and reared, and in the vicinity of his home his education was secured in the district schools. He worked on the farm and assisted his father for several years, and then conducted a tannery near Albany for a number of years. While engaged thus he was married, and in 1874 came to Kansas with his family and his father, locating near Ottawa, where both he and the elder man took up a farm and engaged in general farming and raising stock. This they continued with a satisfying measure of success until 1884, when they came to Topeka, and in the following year embarked in the grocery business in a small way at No. 1110 North Kansas Avenue. This proved almost an instantaneous success, and grew and prospered, so that by 1888 the partners were forced to seak a larger store. This they found at No. 619 North Kansas Avenue, where they occupied a part of the property until they outgrew it and again were found larger quarters. In 1900 they moved into an establishment at No. 802 North Kansas and 1903, during the flood, when the business was nearly wiped out, they opened the store on East Sixth Street, and both are now in operation.

D. Willis Dibble had been bleased with three children: D. Maynard; Ernest, who is now deceseed; and Ivan. All had been instrumental in assiating their father to success, and at the time of his death they took over the business. The father died May 27, 1912, while in the Masonic Temple, Topeka, from a stroke of apoplexy. He had been a member of all the bodies of Masonry and had held all the offices up to and including that of high priest, and at the time of his death was hard at work to prepare for the office of eminent commander of his commandery. He was a man of keen judgment, of business shrewdness and always able to recognize an opportunity, but possessed in marked degree also the qualities of straightforwardness and integrity and was absolutely honest in every transaction. Such a man was naturally respected in business circles, while his many fine qualities of mind and heart endeared him to all whom he met in a social way.

In his boyhood, D. Maynard Dibble attended the district schools of Ottawa County, later he was a student of the Topeka public schools, and his education was completed at Pond’s Business College. With this preparation, and that which he had gained through some years of experience in his father’s stores, Mr. Dibble was well trained for a business career. He and his brothers, Ernest and Ivan, had been given lessons in salesmanship, business methods, credits, etc., when they were mere lads, and when they were ready to begin their own careers this early training came directly into their work. After the death of their father, D. Maynard and Ivan Dibble became proprietors of the business, their brother Ernest having died several years before, and in 1913 promoted what are known as the Economy Cash Markets, now consisting of four stores, each one being run separate, and all aside from the original two grocery houses.

On June 11, 1901, Mr. Dibble was united in marriage with Miss Edna Schoonmaker, of Topeka, and to this union there have been born three children, all living and attending school. Mr. Dibb’e is a member of all the Masonic bodies in both the York and Scottish Rites, as well as an Odd Fellow, and is independent in his political views and not a politician. He and Mrs. Dibble are members of the First Methodist Church, and Mrs. Dibble is assistant of the prlmary department of the Sunday school, taking a great interest in the children and their welfare. Belonging to old and respected families of Topeka, both Mr. and Mrs. Dibble occupy recognized plases in social circles of the city.